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Birds--General/Getting my budgie to eat out of my hand

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Expert: - 12/30/2006


Question
I have tried making my budgie eat millet out of my hand by placing the millet seeds in my palm and holding it under her face. She still refuses to take it. Could you help me with this?  

Answer
Hi, Daniel.  Thanks for posting!

Is your budgie tame?  Has your budgie ever seen/eaten the millet seeds before?  If your bird has never seen these seeds before, it won't eat them because birds won't eat something they don't recognize as food.  Some birds won't eat food out of someone's hand and others do.  You can't force your bird to do this...it comes with trust you build between yourself and your bird.  Some birds are afraid of people's hands/fingers and if your bird is one of these, it won't eat out of your hand until s/he overcomes it's fear.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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